Michael Bell
Ceist:88 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the benefits single/lone parents will be paid over and above existing benefits if they opt for the second chance educational scheme.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
I have recently extended the vocational training opportunities scheme to long parents. Participants pursuing a course at second level under the scheme which is operated by the vocational education committees receive in addition an allowance towards the cost of travelling and subsistence.
Lone parents who avail of other options for second chance education continue to receive their lone parent allowances from my Department together with any secondary benefits due, such as fuel allowance, Christmas bonus and back to school clothing and footwear allowances.
Seán Haughey
Ceist:89 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit is not paid under certain types of PRSI classes; and if he proposes to extend the disability benefit schemes to all classes.
Disability Benefit is payable, subject to certain contribution conditions, to people who pay full rate (Class A) social insurance contributions i.e. employees in industrial, commercial and service-type employment with earnings of £25 a week or more. It is also available, in certain circumstances, to Defence Force personnel who pay Class H contributions. These two classes represent the majority of the insured population. The main categories not covered are permanent and pensionable civil servants (Class B) who are covered mainly for Widows and Orphan's Contributory Pension, and self-employed people (Class S) who are covered for Old Age and Widows and Orphans Pension.
Any question of extending entitlement to Disability Benefit to further classes of insured people who have to take account of their particular circumstances, the nature of their employment and the implications for any alternative income maintenance arrangements they may have. There are no immediate plans for an extension of the scheme to other categories.